THE BIG STORY IS SENATE NOMINATION SQUABBLES — Get ready, folks, it could be time for another “nuclear option” debate, as POLITICO’s Burgess Everett explains: “Nomination chaos is back in the Senate — again. In quick succession, Senate Republicans held together Thursday to block two of President Barack Obama’s key nominations. The votes threatened to upend the relative peace that has taken hold in the Senate over the past few months since leaders agreed to not change the chamber’s rules to make it harder for the minority to block nominations — the so-called ‘nuclear option.’”

“Just this week, the Senate approved several nominees without much drama. Those days appear to be over. Shortly after blocking the nomination of Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) to be the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, 56-42, Republicans also halted the confirmation process for Patricia Millett to be a judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, 55-38 with three present votes. Both votes were set at 60-vote thresholds and neither nominee could attract the necessary five GOP votes to break the filibuster.” Everett’s story: http://politi.co/1aqWvKr

— WATT FHFA RECAP, via Jon Prior and MJ Lee: “Many Senate Republicans said they oppose [Watt’s nomination to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency] because someone with more experience in mortgage finance, not a politician, should run the agency. Democrats have dismissed these concerns, arguing Watt has been deeply involved in housing issues during his more than 20 years in Congress. The Senate voted 56-42 against advancing Watt’s nomination; 60 votes were needed. ... Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Rob Portman of Ohio were the only two Republicans to vote in favor of the nomination.” Prior’s story: http://politi.co/1aghedN

RT @CoryBooker, quoting Italian author Niccolo Machiavelli’s "The Prince": “'Its not titles that honor men but men that honor titles.’ Thank U NJ & all that put trust in me. I'll work everyday 2 honor this new office.”

THIS IS PRO REPORT, still not SportsCenter. Congrats, Boston. Also, 63 years ago today, Earl Lloyd became the NBA’s first African American player. Happy Halloween! Bill Barnes at Gene’s Costumes (they’ve been selling D.C.-area folks costumes for 20+ years out of Kensington) said their top political costume this year is — Richard Nixon. “That throws you for a loop, doesn’t it?” he said ... Hill and Bill grabbed the No. 2 and 3 spots, respectively. Connect with me on Twitter: @kevcirilli and email kcirilli@politico.com. Back to Booker …

BOOKER’S BUSY FIRST DAY: Booker’s arrival will restore the Senate Democratic Caucus’s 55-45 majority … He was scheduled to meet with the White House later this afternoon. POLITICO’s full recap: http://politi.co/16pKQIk

— PRO REPORT MUSES: Booker masterfully managed a reputation as being both accessible and authentic — despite being just as politically savvy and media guarded as his new colleagues. But while older politicians crafted their images at local diners and state fairs, Booker did it in 140 characters or less. Booker was elected through special election, and he’ll face reelection in November 2014. He’s got a year to prove to voters he’s worth it …

MARKET WATCH: TWITTER’S IPO ‘HAZARDOUS,’ via Forbes: “You may not want to scramble and jump on Twitter’s IPO. Unless you are a professional trader, don’t be tempted. This early, Twitter is a trader’s game primarily because the hype and hoopla surrounding the stock tend to obscure the fundamentals, including its growth potential and profitability, in the company’s social media business.” http://onforb.es/1dtDMfX

FED WATCH: Federal Reserve Vice Chairwoman Janet Yellen today began meeting with members of the Senate Banking Committee, whose approval she’ll need before facing a full Senate vote to lead the central bank. She’s expected to be confirmed — even Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said so in interviews today. My recap on that here: http://politi.co/19VyhoX

“The Clintons’ critiques in recent days have been explicitly aimed at congressional Republicans, who helped spur a 16-day government shutdown and potential debt default in October. But their remarks also seem to contain an implicit rebuke of President Obama’s failure to change Washington as he pledged when first running for the White House.”

“Neither Clinton has brought up Obama directly in their remarks or explicitly criticized his leadership. Still, the Clintons’ general critiques carry echoes of the charges Republicans have frequently leveled against the current president: that Obama doesn’t respect their ideas and resists any compromise with them.” Full story via Philip Rucker: http://wapo.st/1gfjJp7

TODAY’S TOP POLICY NEWS:

OBAMA LOOKS TO BOOST FOREIGN INVESTMENT, via Eric Bradner and Doug Palmer: “President Barack Obama on Thursday outlined a new government effort to attract job-creating investment from around the world, as his administration welcomed companies from nearly 60 countries looking to grow their business in the United States …”

“‘I want to make sure that we are doing everything we can so that companies like yours want to set up shop here in the United States,’ Obama told a packed hall of 1,200 business representatives and policymakers from China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Germany and other countries who gathered at a Washington, D.C., hotel for the SelectUSA Investment Summit.”

“The president’s appearance at the two-day event follows a sharp drop in the U.S. share of global foreign direct investment since 2000 as companies looked increasingly instead at developing countries like China, India and Brazil for new sales and growth. U.S. unemployment also remains above 7 percent, putting pressure on the White House to explore any avenue for creating jobs that does not require Congress to pass big spending programs.

“The investment summit also comes, although not by design, after the recent government shutdown and near credit default, which raised questions around the world about U.S. government leadership and created massive business uncertainty.” Full story: http://politico.pro/18H84GH

SYRIA WATCH, via Pro Defense’s Leigh Munsil: “The destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons manufacturing capability doesn’t make its existing stockpile any less dangerous, one expert warned Thursday, pointing out that international groups have much more work to do.” http://politico.pro/19g6akE

INTERIOR DENIES PLAYING POLITICS, via Pro’s Andrew Restuccia: “Interior Secretary Sally Jewell hit back Thursday at Republicans who accused her department of playing politics by barricading national monuments and memorials during the government shutdown. ‘Absolutely not,’ she said after a speech at the National Press Club when asked if any ‘political motivations’ played a role in the decisions.” http://politico.pro/16PpgzA

BAUCUS LOOKS TO CRACK TAX CODE, via Kim Dixon and Kelsey Snell: “Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus is expected as early as next week to release his most detailed proposals yet to rewrite the tax code, including potentially big changes to how corporations are taxed, aides to lawmakers on the committee said Thursday.”

“Baucus and his House Republican counterpart, Dave Camp of Michigan, are pushing upstream to convince lawmakers that they can write a tax overhaul law backed by both houses for the first time since 1986 during this Congress. They agree on broad goals — lower rates and scrapping loopholes — but specific proposals have been scant thus far, particularly from Baucus.”

“Many Washington observers are skeptical that the two determined lawmakers can bring together a House with a sizable unruly conservative caucus and liberal Democrats who want more revenue to be part of any changes.” http://politico.pro/1duW3JH